Brush making machine



H. B. WHITMAN IETAL 3,107,945

Oct. '22, 1963 I BRUSH MAKING MACHINE ts-sheet l NTORS HENRY a- WHITMANRARRY J- GATTING M A. CAMILLE MARQUIS ATTORNEYS EARL. WILLJA 70% HflcBRUSH MAKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1960 Oct. 22, 1963H. B. WHITMAN ETAL BRUSH MAKING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 29,1960 l Edi United States Patent 3,107,945 BRUSH MAKING MAQHINE Henry B.Whitman, Windsor, William A. Parry, Wethersfield, Earl .I. Gattirig,Windsor, and Camille Marquis, Suilield, Conn, assignors to The FullerBrush Company, East Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut FiledJan. 29, 1950, Ser. No. 5,409 25 Qlaims. (Cl. 3fi02) The inventionrelates to machines for making brushes or brush elements wherein thebrush fibers are arranged transversely in relatively thin layers ofindeterminate length and wherein the fibers in said layers are engagedand held by at least one retaining member extending lengthwise of thelayer.

An example of a brush element of this type is shown in the patent toHenry Cave 1,871,775, issued August 16, 1932, wherein a longitudinallayer of fibers is held by a longitudinal channel-shaped member and by alongitudinal core wire within said channel-shaped member. The Jones andLe Febvre Patent 2,310,897 shows another example of a brush element ofthe type above mentioned, this element including a longitudinal layer offibers held by two longitudinal wires which are relatively twisted tohold the fibers.

In a machine of the type illustrated in the Cave patent transverse brushfibers and a longitudinal core wire are inserted into a longitudinalchannel-shaped backing member preferably formed from metallic stock andthe fibers are at the same time folded about the core wire. After thefibers have been so folded and have been inserted into the backingmember with the core wire, the sides of the backing member are bentinwardly to lock the fibers and the wire therein. Such a machine isadapted for making a brush element of indeterminate length, but thepicker disc of the machine is restricted as to speed of operation and itdoes not always provide an entirely uniform fiber layer and may beotherwise objectionable.

The reciprocating slicing knife of the Jones et al. patent has manyadvantages over the rotary picker disc, but the length of the brush orbrush element is limited by the ength of reciprocatory movement of theknife. It is, accordingly, the general object of the present inventionto provide a brush making machine having the advantages of a slicingknife but not limited or restricted as to the length of the brush orbrush element that may be made. In accordance with the invention, astationary fiber magazine is provided and a reciprocable slicing knifeis provided which serves to slice off layers of fibers during itsforward strokes which sliced layers of fibers are received by a transferdevice positioned below the magazine and are discharged by said deviceonto an endless conveyor so as to form on said conveyor a continuouslayer of fibers of indeterminate length.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means forcontrolling the slicing of the fiber layers, this means beingparticularly useful in a machine such as last above set forth, but notnecessarily so limited.

Further and more specific objects of the invention are to providevarious features of structure and mechanism for assisting in theattaining ofthe above-stated more general objects.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawings andfrom the following description and claims.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and suchembodiment will be described, but it will be understood that variouschanges may be made from the construction disclosed and that thedrawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limitingthe scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of thisspecification being relied upon for that purpose.

"ice

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a brush making machineincorporating the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the upper central portion of thebrush making machine shown in FIG. 1 with the fiber magazine empty.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on theline 3-3 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on theline 4-4 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 inFIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken alongthe lines 6-6 in FIGS. 1 and 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGS. 7 to 12 are sequential views illustrating the operation of aportion of the brush making machine as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, FIG. 7being a front elevational view, partly in section, showing the positionsof the slicing knife and the transfer device with respect to themagazine and the conveyor immediately after the start of the forwardstroke of the slide assembly.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positions ofthe various parts at the mid-point of the forward stroke of the slideassembly.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positions ofthe various parts at the end of the forward stroke of the slideassembly.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positionsof the various parts immediately after the start of the backward strokeof the slide assembly.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positionsat the various parts at an intermediate position during the backwardstroke of the slide assembly.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing the relative positionsof the various parts at the end of the backward stroke of the slideassembly.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of part of the brush making machine of FIG.1 showing the relative position of the wire tensioning device withrespect to the slide assembly at the end of the slicing stroke.

FIG. 14 is a schematic View similar to that of FIG. 13 showing therelative position of the tensioning device at the end of the backwardstroke of the slide assembly.

General Organization The general organization of the brush makingmachine is shown in FIGS. v1 and 2. The machine comprises a tablelikesupport structure or frame 10 upon which are mounted the various machinecomponents and the driving means therefor.

- Flat metallic stock 12 from which the required longitudinalchannel-shaped backing member is to be formed is withdrawn from a coil14 positioned adjacent the left end of the frame 11 and carried by arotatable reel 15 supported on a pedestal 16. From the coil 14 the stock12 passes between two forming rolls 18, 18* mounted on parallel shafts2d, Zii extending from a gear housing 22. The gear housing is mounted onthe top surface 24 of the tablelike frame It; and adjacent the left endthereof. The rolls 18, 18 like the rolls of the Cave patent, are shapedso as to form the flat stock 12 into a U-shaped channel member 26 as itpasses therebetween.

After being shaped by the rolls 1%, m the backing member 26 passeslongitudinally to the opposite or right end of the frame 10, and whileit so moves a longitudinal layer of transverse brush fibers is depositedupon it and a longitudinal brush core wire is laid upon the layer offibers, all as hereinafter explained in detail. Near the right end ofthe machine, a suitable device Tait operates to fold the fibers aroundthe wire and to insert the folded fibers and the core wire into thechannel-shaped member 26. A closing mechanism 28 including oppositelydisposed rolls 142 serves to inwardly bend the sides of said member 26to lock the fibers and core wire in place.

Between the rolls 13, 13 and the closing mechanism 28 there is provideda conveyor 3% continuously movable longitudinally of the machine. Theconveyor is adapted to carry a longitudinal fiber layer disposedthereupon as hereinafter explained. In preferred form the conveyorcomprises two parallel endless chains 32, 32 which are engaged withsprocket wheels 34, 34 on a shaft 158 and with sprocket wheels 35, 35 onan idler shaft 35*. The chains 32, 32 have uniformly spaced spikes 33,33 thereon for insuring movement of the fibers in parallelism with eachother and in unison with the chains. As shown, the upper runs of theconveyor chains move toward the right and it will be understood thatwhen the direction of conveyor movement is hereinafter mentioncdreference is made to the said upper run. The upper runs of the chains32, 32 are closely spaced and they are at opposite sides of thechannel-shaped member 26 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The upper runs ofthe chains 32, 32 and also the member-26 are supported on a stationaryguide bar 36.

A stationary magazine 49 is provided above the conveyor 3G for holdingfibers 38 which are to be used in making the brush element. As usedherein, the term fibers is intended to be generic and to include anyusual or suitable brush filaments or material. The magazine 44 ispositioned at the upper central portion of the machine, and it isadapted for containing an uninterrupted mass of parallel and horizontalfibers transversely disposed therein. The magazine has transverselyextending vertical side walls a1 and 41 and a vertical rear wall 42, butit is open at the top and at the bottom. As shown, there is alsoprovided a central transverse vertical partition 41*. For facilitatingthe replenishment of the fibers 38, the magazine 46 is also open at thefront so that the mass of fibers is exposed at the front. Suitableweights 43 are provided within the magazine 40 to bear upon the uppersurface of the fibers 38 to keep them closely packed together as arelatively thick uninterrupted mass. When additional fibers are to beinserted, the weights 43 are lifted and additional fibers are placed ontop of those remaining within the magazine. The front ends of the fibers33 at the open front side of the magazine are in a vertical longitudinalplane.

Mechanism for Slicing and Transferring Fiber Layers Below the magazine46 means are provided for periodically slicing off layers of fibers fromthe mass of fibers 33 in the magazine. This slicing means may haveutility apart from the conveyor, but a conveyor is ordinarily preferredand the transfer means is adapted to serve for transferring the slicedlayers to the continuously movable conveyor.

As shown in the drawings, the slicing means comprises a longitudinallyreciprocable slide assembly generally indicated at 44. The assembly hasforward and backward strokes during each reciprocation, the movementtoward the right being hereinafter referred to as the forward stroke andthe movement toward the left being hereinafter referred to as thebackward stroke.

The slide assembly 44 includes a body 46 mounted for longitudinalreciprocatory movement which movement is preferably rectilinear.Suitable stationary guide means (not shown) engage the body 46 at itslower edge. At one end, shown as being the left end, the slide 46 isconnected by a link 56 to a lever 58 pivotally mounted at 59 on abracket 69 carried by the frame 1%. A cam follower 61 is carried by thelever 53 above the pivotal axis as 59, and said cam follower engages aheart-shaped cam track in a cam 62 carried by a rotatable shaftextending from a housing 66 within which there is a suitable powertransmitting mechanism for rotating said shaft. Rotation of the cam 62causes the lever 53 to oscillate about its pivotal axis at 59 and tolongitudinally reciprocate the slide assembly 44. The shape of the camtrack is preferably such that the speed of movement of the slideassembly is substantially uniform in each direction.

A fiber slicing knife -68 is included in the slide assembly 44, saidknife having a forwardly facing slicing point or edge 69. The knife isshown as being located between and carried by two vertical longitudinalplates 79, 76 fixedly connected to the slide body 46. A spacer plate 71may be provided between the plates 76, 7t and below the knife 53. Theplates 76, 7t and 71 are shown'as connected with the body 46 by means ofscrews 72, 72 and spacers 73, 73. The knife 68 is so positioned that itscentral longitudinal plane'bisects the fibers in the magazine.Additionally, the knife is so positioned with respect to the slide thatits slicing edge 6% serves during the forward reciprocatory strokes ofthe slide assembly to slice off individual layers of fibers from themass of' fibers in the magazine 48. The fiber layers are designated as74 in i lGS. 7 to 12. It will be observed that the direction of theforward strokes is toward the right, the

same as the direction of movement of the conveyor 30. The top surface 69of the knife is preferably at a level slightly above the level of theslicing edge 69, and this surface se constitutes a supporting surfacefor those fibers 38 in the magazine which are behind the forwardlymoving slicing edge. To the right of the knife 68, the slide body 46carries a plate 114 which is joined to the said body by screws 117 andspacers 119. The plate 114 has a horizontal top surface 114* whichsupports some of the fibers 38 in the magazine that are ahead of theforwardly moving knife edge 59.

In accordance with one phase of the invention, the relatively shortfiber layers 74- that are periodically sliced by the knife 68 from thefiber mass in the magazine 40 are received by a transfer device having amovable surface which is preferably an endless surface. Preferably, thissurface is movable in a continuous path. The transfer device is shown asbeing carried by and bodily movable with the slide body 46 of the slideassembly so that the movable surface thereof receives the fiber layers74 during the forward slicing strokes.

Preferably, the fiber layers received on the said surface of thetransfer device are transferred from said surface onto the oonveyor 30so as to form thereon a single continuous fiber :layer of indefinitelength. The transfer device receives the sliced fiber layers 74 duringthe forward strokes of the slide assembly and it is then movable totransfer the fiber layers onto the conveyor 30. Preferably, the transferdevice serves to discharge said sliced layers of fibers onto theconveyor 30 during the backward strokes of the slide assembly.

As shown, the transfer device includes a rotatable wheel 78 which iscarried by and is bodily movable with the knife 68 and which is alsorotatable relatively thereto about a transverse horizontal axis. Thewheel has a pee ripher-al cylindrical surface 79 which is closelyadjacent the slicing edge 69 of the knife. Said surface 79 constitutesthe before mentioned continuous surface for receiving the sliced fiberlayers 74.

As the knife 68 is moved toward the right the wheel 7 is bodily movedwith it and the wheel is so rotated counterclockwise that the peripheralspeed toward the left and relatively to the slide 46 is at leastapproximately equal to the speed of the slide toward the right. Theperipheral speed referred to is that at the center of the fiber layer74. In effect, there is a rolling movement of the wheel along the bottomof the fiber mass in the magazine. The thickness of each fiber layer isdetermined by the spacing between the knife edge 69 and the wheelsurfaces 79, 79'

and each layer is engaged with and moved by said surfaces. Thecircumference of the wheel 78 at the surfaces 79, 79

thereof is considerably more than twice the length of a sliced fiberlayer 74.

Preferably, uniformly spaced spikes 84- are provided on the surface 79,and as the wheel rolls along the mass of fibers in the magamne thespikes enter said mass to retain the fibers and to prevent shiftingthereof as the knife advances. It will be observed that during theforward strokes the fibers at the forward side of the knife aresupported in part by the wheel surface 79 and in part by the surface114* on the plate "114. The walls 41, 41 and 41 of the magazine havenotches 85, 85 which provide clearance for the knife 68 and associatedparts and also for the upper portion of the wheel 78 and the spikes 84,84 thereon.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel 78 is fixedly mounted on a shorttransverse shaft 8%) joulrnaled in the upper portion of the said body46. The shaft 86' is so located in the slide body 46 that the axis ofthe wheel 78 is preferably spaced forwardly from a vertical line throughthe slicing edge 69 of the knife 68, and the shaft is further so locatedthat said peripheral surface 79 is spaced from said slicing edge 69 ofthe knife by a distance equal to the thickness of the fiber layers 74 tobe sliced. The wheel 78 is of such size and its axis is so located thatthe surfaces 79, 79 at the bottom of the wheel are at a level onlyslightly above the level of the conveyor 30.

Preferably, the wheel 7 8 has two separate surfaces 79, 79 which arespaced apart transversely so as to be at opposite sides of the knife.The surfaces 79, 79 are preferably more closely spaced than the conveyorchains 32', 32 as shown in FIG. 4. The surfaces 79, 79 are therefore outof register with the conveyor chains but this is not essential. Asshown, the wheel 78 has an annular groove 8-1 between the surfaces 79,79, the purpose of the groove being fully described hereinafter.

An a-rcuate guide element is provided which is concentric with the axisof the wheel 78 and which is spaced from the surfaces 79, 79 by adistance equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the fiberlayers. Preferably and as shown, this guide element comprises arcuateedges 82 on the plates 7%, 7d. The outer peripheral surfaces 79, 7? ofthe wheel 78 and the arcuate front edges 82 of the plates 79, 78 providean arcuate passageway W through which the layers of fibers are connectedfrom a position adjacent and below the knife to a position adjacent andabove the conveyor 3%. The rotation of the wheel 7 3 causes the movementof the fiber layers through this channel.

For a purpose to be more fully set forth, the guide plates 7 6, 76preferably carry a lever 92 pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 94 andhaving an end portion or finger Q3 extending toward the right beyond theplates. By means of a spring 96 the lever 2 is biased in the directionto move the finger 98 upwardly. A stop pin 93 limits movement of thelever by the spring. The finger 98 of the lever 92 is centrally locatedbetween the two rows of spikes 84, 84 on the wheel 78 and is between therows of spikes 33, 33- on the chains 32, 32 and is therefore free tomove upwardly and downwardly. As each fiber layer moves beyond thearcuate plate edges 82, it is retained and pressed against the wheelsurfaces 79, 79 by said finger 98.

As shown in FTGS. l and 3, a shoe 91 is provided at the bottom of theplates 79, 71, 7G for entering the channelshaped strip 26. This shoeinsures alignment of the strip with the device 149 that subsequentlypresses the fibers and the core wire into said strip. The shoe furtherinsures engagement of the strip with the guide bar 36 so that said stripwill be at the proper level and will not interfere with the engagementof the fiber layers with the chain as hereinafter described.

The slide assembly 44- is provided with movable lifters 122, 122adjacent the wheel 78 and the knife 63 and with means for raising thelifters during the backward strokes of the slide assembly and forlowering the lifters during the forward strokes thereof. These liftersserve during the backward strokesto hold the fibers in the magazine outof positions in which they would be engaged by the spikes 84-, 84 onthe'whe el 7 8. As shown, there are two lifters 122, 122 at oppositesides of the plate 114. These lifters are shown as being pivotallymounted adjacent their centers on a pivot pin 1.23 as shown in FIG. 5.The lifters may be provided with arcuately shaped top edge portions 124,124 immediately adjacent the sides of the wheel 78. Pivotal movement ofthe lifters 122, 122 is effected by a solenoid 126 mounted on theslidebody 46. The armature 128 of the solenoid is secured to a crossrod 131?connected with the lifters 122, 122. The solenoid is adapted to beactuated by suitable control means (not shown) so .as to move the rightends of the lifters 122, i122 downwardly and so as to raise the portions12d, 124 thereof to their uppermost position. The lifter portions 124,124 are raised by the solenoid during the backward strokes of theassembly and are lowered by gravity or otherwise during the forwardstrokes of the assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 12, it will be observed that the wheel 78 isrotated counterclockwise during each forward stroke of the slideassembly so as to receive and partly transfer each fiber layer 74 as itis sliced by the knife 68. it will be further observed that the wheel 78 is also rotated counterclockwise during each return or backward strokeof the slide ssembly so as to discharge the sliced fiber layer into theconveyor 3%).

Means is provided for effecting the said counterclockwise rotation ofthe wheel 73 during the forward strokes of the slide assembly. Thismeans may be widely varied but it is shown as including a drive disc 10%rotatable with the wheel and preferably secured on the opposite end ofthe shaft on the back side of the slide body 46, as shown in'FIG. 4, andsaid mechanism further includes devices whereby the drive disc is causedto be effective during each forward stroke and ineffective during eachbackward stroke. The disc 1th may be provided at its periphery with alayer of material 102 having a high coefficient of friction. When afriction wheel is provided, it has a radius approximately equal to theradius at the center of a fiber layer on the surfaces 79, 79 of thewheel 78. A longitudinal bar 104- is provided which is movable into andout of engagement with the wheel. As shown, the bar 164- is pivotallymounted at its left end 1% and it has its right end 168 fixed to thearmature 110 of a solenoid 112. A suitable control means (not shown) isprovided to cause the solenoid 112 to pull the bar 104- dow-nwardly intoengagement with the drive disc at the beginning of each forward strokeof the slide assembly. The bar 104 is moved upwardly 'by means of aspring or otherwise at the end of each forward stroke of the slideassembly so as to be out of engagement with the disc 1100-. Forwardmovement of the slide body 45 and of the drive disc 1% while said drivedisc is engaged by the bar 164- causes counterclockwise rotation of thedrive disc 100 and the shaft 86 and the wheel 78.

Counterclockwise rotation of the wheel 7 8 during each backward strokeof the slide assembly is shown as being effected in part by the corewire 132 that :is used in making the brush element. The core wire issupplied from a coil 133 on a reel 134 located at the right of theframe. The wire 132 passes from the coil upwardly through a guide tube136 mounted on an arm 131 secured to right end portion of the main slideor slide body 46. From the guide tube 136 the wire passes throughsuitable control mechanism on the arm 131. The core wire controlmechanism can be widely varied as to its details of construction, but asshown it includes a slidable tension block 138 which fric-tionallyengages the wire. The tension block is secured to a control slide 139which is longitudinally movable with respect to the arm 131 andtherefore with respect to the main slide. A tension spring .141 isconnected at one end to the control slide139, and is connected at theother end to a post 143 fixed on the arm 131. This spring biases theblock for movement toward snoasss the right or in the forward direction.The friction between the jaws of the tension block 1138 and the corewire 132 is sufficient to overcome the tension of the spring 141 and tomove the block toward the left or in the backward direction against thebias of the spring upon movement of the core wire in the backwarddirection. A stop 145 on the arm 131 limits movement of the controlslide 139 in the backward direction. From the control mechanism the wirepasses through a groove 114 in the plate 114- as shown in FIG. 5, and itthen passes around the central portion of the wheel 78, the wire beingentered in the before mentioned groove 81. The radius of the wheel atthe groove 81 is such that the wire does not substantially interferewith a fiber layer 74 engaged with said wheel surfaces 79, 79.

The core wire 132 first engages the wheel 73 below the layer of fibersthat is being sliced, this being apparent from FIGS. 7 arid 8. As thefiber layer 74 is engaged by the surfaces 79, 79, the wire 132 is alwaysat the inner side of the layer. As the core wire 132 comes oh" the wheel78 at the bottom thereof it is positioned above the fiber layer 74 thatis being deposited onto the conveyor. Below the wheel 7 3 and rat theright thereof the core wire 132 moves toward the right in unison withthe conveyor 3%, being locked into the ,moving backing member 26 bymeans of the brush closing mechanism 28'. Because of its circumferentialengagement with the wheel '78 at the groove 81 thereof, the wire 132causes counterclockwise rotations of the wheel 7 8 during bodilymovement thereof toward the left. In effect, the wheel rolls toward theleft along the wire 132 which is moving toward the right.

Drive Mechanism Power for operating the machine is supplied by a motor146 mounted on a platform 148 supported by the frame ll). Means isprovided for'operating the machine at different speeds, and when theseveral parts are driven directly by a motor such as 1%, said motor isof the variable speed type.

From a sprocket wheel 147 on the motor shaft, power is transmittedthrough an endles chain 154 to a large sprocket wheel on a shaft 151projecting from a gear housing 152. From the gear housing 152 power istransmitted through an endless chain 16% to a large sprocket wheel 156mounted on the before mentioned horizontal shaft 153, said shaft beingrotatable in suitable bearings on the frame. As before stated, thedriving sprockets 34, 34 for the endless chains 32, 32 are mounted onthe shaft 158 and rotation of the shaft serves to move the conveyorchains.

Power is transmitted from the shaft 158 through a r sprocket wheel 15fon the shaft and through a chain 159 to a sprocket wheel 16?. on a shaft162 projecting from the housing 66 which carries the cam shaft 64. Thebefore mentioned power transmitting mechanism within the housing as is avariable speed mechanism (not shown) interposed between the shaftcarrying the sprocket wheel and said shaft 64.

Power is also transmitted from the shaft 158 through a. sprocket wheel163 on the shaft and a chain 164 to the gear housing 22 for the rolls 2%and The rolls 142, 142 of the closing mechanism are driven from a motordriven sprocket wheel 165 through an endless chain 166 and through asprocket wheel 167 and through bevel gears 168 and 169.

During each cycle of the machine, the shaft 64 makes one rotation andthe slide assembly makes one reciprocation. The sprocket wheels 34,34for the conveyor chains are of such size that during each cycle thechains 32, 32 are moved through a distance at least approximately equalto the internal longitudinal width of the magazine, that is, through adistance at least approximately equal to the length of each sliced fiberlayer 74.

Tamping Mechanism I A tamping mechanism is preferably provided foralignn :1? ing the ends of the fibers 38 after they have been depositedon the conveyor 30. This mechanism is shown as being driven through asprocket wheel 171 on the motor shaft, an endless chain 17% and aneccentrically connected link 72. The link 172 is connected to avertically reciprocable rod 174 which is connected through links 175,173 to oppositely disposed pivoted paddles 173. Vertical reciprocationof the rod 174 moves the paddles toward and away from each other causingthem to engage any projecting fibers and properly align the ends of thefibers prior to their being acted upon by the brush closing mechanism.

More Specific Description of Manner of Operation in more specificallydescribing the manner of operation, reference will be made moreparticularly to FIGS. 7 to 12 of the drawings.

The inside longitudinal width of the magazine 40 is designated as A. Thelength of each sliced fiber layer 74 is at least approximately the sameas the magazine width and this layer length will be assumed to be alsoA. The leading end of each fiber layer is designated as B and thetrailing end is designated as C. The total distance of reciprocation ofthe slide assembly is designated as D.

FIG. 7 shows the positions of the various parts immediately after thestart of the forward stroke of the slide assembly 44. The slicing edge69 of the knife 63 is at the left side of the magazine 4-0 and is inposition to start the slicing of a layer of fibers.

As hereinafter more fully explained, FIG. 12 shows the parts at the endof the backward stroke. In the FIG. 12 positions the lifter portions124, 124 are still in their upper positions to prevent premature entryof fibers between the spikes 84, $4 on the wheel 78. As the parts movefrom the FIG. 12 position to the PEG. 7 position, the lifter portions 12124 are lowered by the action of the solenoid so as to permit fibers tomove downwardly between the spikes 84-, 8'4 and below the slicing edgeof the knife.

In the FIG. 7 position, the fibers in the magazine are supported by thesurfaces 79, 7h on the wheel 78 and by the surface 114* on the plate114. The trailing end C of the next preceding fiber layer 74 on theconveyor is located approximately vertically below the center of themagazine All. The core wire 132 is entered in the groove 81 in the wheel73, and the wire 132 at the bottom extends toward the right and isincorporated in the finished brush strip so that said lower portion ofthe wire 7 moves toward the right with the conveyor.

As the slide assembly 2-4 moves toward the right as in the magazine 4%.As the layer of fibers is so sliced,

it is received by the endless surface of the transfer device, thissurface being shown as being the peripheral surface or surfaces 79, 79on the wheel 78. The illustrated 'means for rotating the wheel 78 duringeach forward or slicing stroke comprises the friction disc 1% and thebar 116%. At the beginning of the slicing stroke, the bar 104 is engagedwith the disc flit] and the wheel 78 is rotated at such a speed thatthere is a rolling action of the upper portion of the wheel 7%relatively to the fibers in magazine 4-9. Otherwise stated, theperipheral speed at the top of the wheel relative to the slide andtoward the left is equal to the speed of bodily slide movement towardthe right. As before stated, the wheel 78 supports the fibers duringslicing and the spikes 84, 84 thereon prevent shifting of the fiberstoward the right as the knife advanccs.

The radius of the disc 1130' may be slightly 'less than the radius atthe center of the sliced layer so that the wheel 78 is rotated a littlefaster than required for a true rolling action. This faster rotation maymore effectively present the fiber to the knife. However, for purposesof convenient description, it will be assumed that there is a truerolling action and that the length of each fiber layer is the same asthe longitudinal width of the maga zme.

As shown in FIG. 8, the slide assembly is in mid-position and aboutone-half of the fiber layer 74- has been sliced and has been entered inthe passageway 90 formed by the edges 82 of the guide plates 70, 70 andby the wheel 78. The forward portion or the partially sliced layer isapproximately vertical and the wire 132 is between the fiber layer andthe wheel.

As shown in FIG. 9, the layer 74 has been completely sliced, and theslicing edge 69 of the knife '68 has moved slightly beyond the magazine.It has been stated that the circumference of the wheel 78 isconsiderably more than twice the length A of the fiber layer 74. Thisincreased circumference is necessitated in part by the overtravel of theslide and knife from the end of the backward stroke as shown in FIG. 12to the end of the forward stroke as shown in FIG. 9.

Upon reaching the FIG. 9 positions or shortly before reaching saidpositions, the bar 104 is lifted by the solenoid 112 so as to tree thewheel 78 from any control by the friction disc The trailing end C of thenewly sliced fiber layer 74 is below the right end of the maga- Zinc 40and the leading end B of said layer has not reached its lowermostposition. The lifter portions 124, 124 remain in their lower positions,this being necessary as lifting of said portions would disturb thetrailing end portion of the newly sliced fiber layer.

At or about the time that the parts reach the FIG. 9 positions, thesolenoid 112 acts to lift the bar 104 out of engagement with thefriction disc 109 so that the wheel 78 and the disc 104} are free torotate independently of said bar. The lower portion of the wire 132. isalways moving toward the right at the speed of the conveyor and the wireacts to continue the counterclockwise rotation of the wheel 78 as soonas the wheel is released by the lifting of the bar 164. The wire so actsby reason of its engagement with the wheel 78 at the groove 81.

FIG. 10 shows the slide assembly in a position toward the left from thatshown in FIG. 9, the backward stroke having started and the slicing edge69 of the knife being at or near the right side 'of the magazine. At theFIG. 10 positions the wire 132 has turned the wheel 78 to ad- Vance thenewly sliced layer so that its trailing end C is beyond the lifterportions 124, 124, and said litter portions have been raised by theaction of the solenoid 126.

The turning of the wheel 78 to the FIG. 10 position has moved the fiberlayer to the position wherein its leading end B is at or very near thebottom of the wheel. The leading portion of said fiber layer has beenengaged by the finger 98 of the lever 92. Said finger has compressed thelayer and is holding it in firm engagement with the surfaces 79, 79 ofthe wheel 73. The leading portion of the fiber layer 74 on the wheel hasbeen completely inverted, and the wire 132 is above the layer. Thetiming is such that the leading end B of the fiber layer on the whee-lis in vertical register with the trailing end C of the next previouslydischarged layer on the conveyor. As the wheel 78 rolls toward the leftand along the wire 132, the fiber layer is progressively discharged fromthe wheel and onto the conveyor. The discharge of the layer progressesin the backward direction notwithstanding the fact that the conveyor ismoving forwardly.

FIG. 11 shows the parts at an intermediate position during the backwardstroke and the wheel 78 has rolled backwardly or toward the left alongthe wire 132. As successive portions of the fiber layer on the wheelhave passed the end of the finger 98, they have been transferred ontothe conveyor and have been added to the continuous layer of fibersthereon. The slide assembly has moved through about two-thirds of itsbackward lb stroke, and the entire layer has been transferred from thewheel and onto the conveyor, the trailing end of the transferred layerbeing shown at C.

FIG. 12 shows the parts at the end of the backward stroke. The wire 132has continued to rotate the wheel and the trailing end C of thetransferred layer has moved to a new position toward the right, thisposition being at or near the center of the magazine. It will beobserved that during the backward stroke the wheel 78 has been rotatedto a considerably greater extent than during the forward stroke. Duringthe forward slicing stroke, the top periphery of the wheel movesbackwardly relatively to the slide approximately through the distance Dwhich is the length of the stroke. During the backward stroke, thebottom periphery of the wheel would have moved forwardly relatively tothe slide through said distance D if the wire 132 were stationary, butthe wire is not stationary and, during the "backward stroke, it hasmoved toward the right through one-half of the distance A which is thelength of a fiber layer. Therefore, the extent of rotation of the Wheel78 during the backward stroke is considerably greater than the extent ofrotation during the forward stroke.

It will be understood that the indicated positions'of the lasttransferred fiber layer 74 on the conveyor and the indicated positionsof the newly sliced fiber layer 74- on the wheel are only approximateand are not critical. Referring particularly to FIG. 10, it will beapparent that the leading end B of the newly sliced fiber layer on thewheel will always be in the same position in successive cycles. Theconveyor moves through the distance A during each cycle and the leadingend of the newly transferred layer is moved toward the right throughsaid distance A. The result is that the trailing end C of each newlytransferred layer is always in the same location when the various partsof the machine again reach the FIG. 10 positions.

it has been assumed that the length of each fiber layer is exactly equalto the longitudinal width A of the magazine. However, the magazine widthmay vary slightly from the width that was intended or the speed of thewheel '78 during slicing may be such that there is a small variationfrom a true rolling action. On account of factors such as the foregoingit may be desirable to vary the rate of slide reciprocation relativelyto the fixed speed of the conveyor 30. This may be done by means of thevariable speed mechanism in the box 66. This mechanism is of the typeadapted to provide small speed variations as required.

it has been stated that the machine has one cycle during each rotationof the cam shaft 64. Ordinarily the conveyor moves through the distanceA during each cycle, but if the fiber layer length is, for example,slightly less than A, then the shaft 64 must be rotated more rapidlyrelatively to the conveyor so that more of the shorter layers will bedischarged onto the conveyor within a specified time. This makes itpossible for the shorter layers to be discharged in end-to-endrelationship and without spaces between them.

Sometimes spaces between successive fiber layers are necessary ordesirable. In such a case the cam shaft 54 may be rotated at a lowerspeed to enable the trailing end C of each layer on the conveyor to movebeyond the position at which the leading end B of the next layer isdeposited onto the conveyor.

Description of Manner of Operation of Wire Control 'Mechanism As hasbeen stated, the core wire 132; is supplied from a coil 133 on a reel13d at the right of the machine. The wire passes through a guide tube136 on an arm 131 carried by the main slide 46. Carried by the arm 131are the parts 133, 139, 141 and 145 which constitute the wire controlmechanism.

The feeding and control of the core wire 132 will best has! i. beunderstood by reference to F163. 13, 14 and 1. FIG. 13 shows the partsin their relative positions at the end of the forward stroke, this viewcorresponding to 9. FIG. 14 shows the parts in their relative positionsat the end of the backward stroke, this view corresponding to PEG. 12.FIG. 1 shows the parts in intermediate positions.

The net wire requirement during each cycle or each completereciprocation is a length A which is the length of a fiber layer. Duringthe backward stroke of the slide assembly 44 from the FIG. 13 positionto the FIG. 14 position, the slide assembly moves toward the leftthrough the distance D which is the length of the stroke. During thebackward stroke the wire control mechanism moves with the slide assemblyand there is no requirement for additional wire at the top. The slideassembly moves backwardly or toward the left through the distance Drelatively to the stationary parts of the machine and thus requires alength D of additional wire at the bottom. Furthermore, the wire at thebottom is moved toward the right during the backward stroke, the extentof rovement being one-half A. Therefore the total wire with drawnthrough said control mechanism during the backward stroke is The totalnet wire requirement is A, as previously stated, and the length of wirewithdrawn therefore exceeds the net requirement by During each forwardstroke from the PEG. 14 position to the H6. 13 position, it is necessaryfor the control mechanism to take up a length of wire equal to the abovestated excess.

Referring to PEG. 13, the wire withdrawn during each backward strokeinitially moves the control slide 13% toward the left and so moves ituntil the slide has moved and has engaged the step. 145. The spring 1141has been correspondingly extended. Thereafter, a wire length A is drawnthrough the tension block 133, this being the net requirement for onecycle. The total ength of wire withdrawn toward the left is aspreviously stated. The spring 1.41 maintains tension during part of themovement and the tension block 133 maintains tension during theremainder of the movement.

During the next following slicing or forward stroke, the spring 1143moves the control slide 193 and the tension block 138 and the wire 132forwardly relatively to the arm 131 through this being the length ofwire that must be taken up during the slicing or forward stroke. Whilethe excess wire is being taken up during the slicing or forward stroke,as above described, the wheel '73 is being rotated by the friction disc162i), and the wire 132 slips in the relatively clockwise directionalong the groove 81. The spring R41 acts during the entire forwardstroke and it moves the block 138 and the control slide 13$ to thepositions shown in FIG. 13. The slide 139 is then properly spaced fromthe stop 145 and is ready for the next return stroke. FIG. 1 shows theparts in a position between those of FIG. 13 and those of FIG. 14. Theslide assembly has moved through about one-fourth of its total slicingmovement toward the right and the slide 139 has relatively loved towardthe right through about one-fourth of its total relative movement.

The invention claimed is: 1. In a brush making machine, the combinationof a magazine for containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontalfibers, a knife having a slicing edge disposed adjacent the bottom ofsaid magazine, means for effecting relative generally longitudinalmovement between said magazine and knife edge in one and an oppositedirection, the extent of said relative movement being at leastapproximately as great as the longitudinal extent of said mass of fibersin said magazine whereby longitudinally elongated layers of fibers areintermittently sliced from the bottom of said mass with the length ofeach layer approximately equal to said longitudinal extent of said mass,a conveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in agenerally longitudinal direction at a predetermined speed, a transferdevice located between the magazine and the conveyor and having an outermovable surface with a portion thereof adjacent said knife duringslicing, and means for moving the transfer device to receive on saidsurface thereof a fiber layer sliced during a relative movement of theknife and magazine and to thereafter discharge said fiber layer fromsaid surface onto the continuously movable conveyor, the last said meansbeing timed for so moving the transfer device that said surface thereofmoves at least approximately at the same speed as the conveyor duringthe discharge of each layer.

2. in a brush making machine, the combination as set forth in claim 1,wherein the means for moving the transfer device is constructed andarranged to discharge each fiber layer onto the conveyor with itsleading end in abutting relationship with the trailing end of the nextpreviously discharged layer on the conveyor.

3. in a brush making machine as set forth in claim 1, the combinationwherein the means for moving the trans for device is constructed andarranged to discharge each fiber layer onto the conveyor during a periodof time substantially less than that required for the conveyor to movethrough a distance equal to the length of a fiber layer.

4. in a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine forcontaining a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a knifehaving a slicing edge disposed adjacent the bottom of said magazine,means for effecting successive relative generally longitudinal movementsbetween said magazine and knife edge in one and an opposide direction,the extent of said relative movements being at least approximately asgreat as the longitudinal extent of said mass of fibers in said magazinewhereby a longitudinally elongated layer of fiber is sliced from thebottom of said mass during each relative knife and magazine movement inone direction with the layer approximately equal to said longitudinalextent of said mass, a conveyor located below the magazine and movablecontinuously in a generally longitudinal direction at a predeterminedspeed, a transfer device located between the magazine and the conveyorand having an outer movable surface with a portion thereof adjacent thepath of movement of the said knife during slicing, and means for movingthe transfer device to receive on said surface thereof a fiber layersliced during a relative movement of the knife and magazine in onedirection and to thereafter discharge said fiber layer from said surfaceonto the continuously movable conveyor in the direction of conveyormovement, the last said means being timed for so moving the transferdevice that layers of fibers thereon are deposited on the conveyorduring relative knife and magazine movements in said opposite direction.i

5. in a brush making machine, the combination of a magazine forcontaining a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, a knifehaving a slicing edge disposed adjacent the bottom of said magazine,means for reciprocating said knife generally longitudinally to providesuccessive slicing and return strokes thereof, said knife edge servingduring slicing strokes to slice olf layers of fibers from said mass offibers in said magazine, a conveyor located below the magazine andmovable continuously in a generally longitudinal direction at apredeternnned speed, a transfer device located between the magazine andthe conveyor and having an outer movable surface with a portion thereofadjacent the path of movement of said knife during slicing, and meansfor moving the transfer device to receive on said surface thereof afiber layer sliced during a slicing stroke of the knife and tothereafter discharge said fiber layer from said surface onto thecontinuously movable conveyor, the last said means being timed for somoving the transfer device that said surface thereof moves at the samespeed as the conveyor during the discharge of each layer, and the lastsaid means being further timed to so move said transfer device that saidsurface thereof receives each fiber layer during each slicing stroke ofthe knife and discharges the received layer onto the conveyor during thenext following return stroke of the knife.

6. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 5, the combinationwherein the means for moving the transfer device is constructed andarranged to so move the device that said surface thereof discharges eachfiber layer onto the conveyor progressively beginning with the leadingend of the layer.

7. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazinefor containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, aslide longitudinally reciprocable in a fixed path below the magazine andhaving forward and backward strokes, a knife on the slide having aforwardly facing slicing edge serving during the forward strokes toslice off layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, atransfer device having an endless outer surface movable in a path infixed relationship with said slide which path has its upper portionclosely adjacent the path of movement of the knife, uniformly spacedspikes carried by said transfer device and projecting outwardly fromsaid surface thereof, means for so moving said transfer devicerelatively to the slide that :the upper spikes have a backward speedrelatively to the slide which is approximately equal to the forwardspeed of the slide in order for the spikes to enter the fiber massduring each forward stroke, said spikes serving to prevent shifting ofthe fibers as the knife advances to slice a layer of fibers from saidmass, and means adjacent and below said knife for engaging and holdingeach layer of fibers after it has been sliced by said knife.

8. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazinefor containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, aslicing knife movable generally longitudinally and forwardly to sliceoif layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, a wheelrotatable about a transverse horizontal axis which is movable in fixedrelationship with said slicing knife, said wheel being provided at itsperiphery with uniformly spaced radial spikes and being so located thatthe spikes at its upper periphery are closely adjacent the slicingknife, means for so rotating the wheel during forward movement of theslicing knife that the upper spikes have a backward speed relatively tothe knife which is approximately equal to the forward speed of theknife, the spikes serving to enter the fiber mass and to preventshifting of the fibers as the knife slices a layer of fibers from themass, and means adjacent and below said knife for engaging and holdingeach layer of fibers after it has been sliced by said knife.

9. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 8, the combinationwherein said horizontal wheel axis is spaced forwardly from a verticalline through the slicing edge of the knife.

10. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 8, the combinationwherein a plate is provided adjacent the wheel at the forward sidethereof which plate has an upper surface positioned for supporting thosefibers in the magazine which are at the forward side of the wheel duringforward movement of the slicing knife.

11. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 7, the combinationwherein a lifting device is provided on 1dthe slide adjacent thetransfer device which lifting device is relatively movable to lower andupper positions respectively below and above the level of the upperportion of the said outer surface of the transfer device, and means formoving said lifting device to its upper position during each backwardstroke of the slide and to its lower position during each forward strokeof the slide.

12. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazinefor containing a mass of tran versely disposed horizontal fibers, aslide longitudinally reciprocable in a fixed path below the magazine andhaving forward and backward strokes, a knife on the slide having aforwardly facing slicing edge serving during the forward strokes toslice off layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, aconveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in agenerally longitudinal direction at a predetermined speed, a transferdevice carried by the slide between the magazine and the conveyor andhaving an endless outer surface which has an upper portion closelyadjacent the path of the knife and a lower portion closely adjacent theconveyor, means for moving said transfer device relatively to the slideduring each forward stroke of said slide so that the upper portion ofits said surface has a backward speed relatively to the slide which isapproximately equal to the forward speed of the slide so that said upperportion of the surface is adapted to r ceive each fiber layer as it issliced by the knife, and means for moving the transfer device relativelyto the slide during each back-ward stroke of the slide so that the lowerportion of its said surface has a forward speed which is the same asthat of the conveyor so that said lower portion of the surface isadapted to discharge said sliced fiber layer onto the conveyor.

13. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 12, the combinationwherein the means for moving the conveyor is constructed and arranged toserve during each complete reciprocation of the slide and knife to movesaid conveyor through a distance equal to the length of a fiber layersliced by the knife.

14. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 12, the combinationwherein the transfer device is a wheel carried by the slide androtatable about a transverse horizontal axis which wheel has aperipheral surface constituting said endless outer surface, and whereinthe two means for moving the transfer device relatively to the slide areconstructed and arranged to rotate said wheel.

15. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 14, the combinationwherein the means for rotating the wheel is constructed and arranged todischarge each fiber layer onto the conveyor with its leading end inabutting relationship with the trailing end of the next previouslydischarged layer on the conveyor.

16. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 14, the combinationwherein the means for rotating the wheel is constructed and arranged torotate said wheel during each forward stroke at a peripheral speed thatis the same as the forward speed of the slide and to rotate said wheelduring each backward stroke in the same direction and at a peripheralspeed that is one and one-half times the speed of the backward speed ofthe slide.

17. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 114, the combinationwherein the means for rotating the wheel during the forward strokesincludes a drive disc bodily movable with the slide and connected withsaid wheel for rotation in unison therewith and further includes devicesfor causing said drive disc to be effective during each forward strokeand ineffective during each backward stroke.

18. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 17, the combinationwherein said drive disc is a friction disc, wherein there is provided alongitudinal bar which is fixed against longitudinal movement and isengageable with said friction disc, and wherein an automaticallyoperable means is provided for moving said bar into position forengagement with said disc during each forward stroke and out of saidposition during each backward stroke.

19. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 14, the combinationwherein the means for rotating the wheel during the backward strokesincludes a portion of the wheel having a circumferential groove thereinadapted for engaging a core wire which is fed to the top thereof in thebackward direction and is discharged from the bottom thereof in theforward direction so that said wire as the bottom portion thereof movesforwardly causes the wheel during each backward stroke to so rotate thatthe lower portion of its peripheral surface has a forward speed which isthe same as that of the conveyor.

20. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazinefor containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, aslide longitudinally reciprocable in a fixed path below the magazine andhaving forward and backward strokes, a knife on the slide having aforwardly facing slicing edge serving during the forward strokes toslice off layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, aconveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in agenerally longitudinal direction at a predetermined forward speed, atransfer wheel rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis in fixedrelation to the slide and having a peripheral surface closely adjacentthe slicing edge of the knife, means for so rotating the wheel duringeach forward stroke of the slide that said peripheral surface at the topthereof has a backward speed relatively to the slide which isapproximately equal to the forward speed of the slide so that each fiberlayer is received on said peripheral surface, an arcuate guide elementon the slide concentrio with the wheel for guiding each'sliced fiberlayer from a position adjacent and below the knife to a positionadjacent and above the conveyor, and means for so rotating the wheelduring each backward stroke of the slide that said peripheral surface atthe bottom thereof has a forward speed equal to the speed of theconveyor so that each fiber layer is discharged from said peripheralsurface and from saidguide element onto said conveyor.

21. Ina brush making machine as set forth in claim 20, the combinationwherein a movable finger is provided adjacent and beyond the lower endof the arcuate guide element, said finger being located to engage eachfiber layer below the wheel and above the conveyor as said layer ismoved by said wheel and said finger being iased to move toward the wheelto compress each fiber layer immediately before it is discharged ontothe conveyor.

22. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 21, the combinationwherein the transfer device is a wheel rotatable about a transversehorizontal axis in fixed relation to said slide, and wherein said wheelhas a circumferential groove for receiving said wire and for guiding itfor movement in unison with each fiber layer from its first saidposition below the fiber layer to a position above said conveyor andabove said fiber layer after inversion thereof.

23. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 22, the combinationwherein means is provided for maintainiug tension in the wire as it isfed to the wheel and relatively to the main slide during each backwardstroke and for forwardly withdrawing some of the wire relatively to themain slide during each forward stroke.

24. In a brush making machine as set forth in claim 23, the combinationwherein the means for tensioning and withdrawing the wire includes adevice frictionally engageable with the wire, a control slidelongitudinally movable along the main slide and carrying said frictiondevice, a spring for resisting backward movement of the friction deviceand control slide relatively to the main slide during each backwardstroke and for effecting for ward movement of the friction device andcontrol slide relatively to the main slide during each forward stroke,and a stop on the main slide for limiting backwardmove merit of saidfriction device and control slide.

25. In a brush making machine, the combination of a stationary magazinefor containing a mass of transversely disposed horizontal fibers, aslide longitudinally reciprocable in a fixed path below the magazine andhaving forward and backward strokes, a knife on the slide having aforwardly facing slicing edge serving during the forward strokes toslice off layers of fibers from said mass of fibers in the magazine, aconveyor located below the magazine and movable continuously in agenerally longitudinal direction at a predetermined speed, a transferdevice carried by the slide between the magazine and the conveyor andhaving an endless outer surface movable in a path in fixed relationshipwith said slide which path has its upper portion closely adjacent thepath of the knife and has its lower portion closely adjacent theconveyor so that said surface is inverted in moving from its saidposition adjacent the knife to its said position adjacent the conveyor,means for moving said transfer device relatively to the slide duringeach forward stroke of said slide so that the upper portion of its saidsurface has a backward speed relatively to the slide which isapproximately equal to the forward speed of the slide which said upperportion of the surface is thereby adapted to receive each fiber layer asit is sliced by the knife, means {for moving the transfer devicerelatively to the slide during each backward stroke of the slide so thata fiber layer engaged with said endless surface is inverted and so thatthe lower portion of said surface has a forward speed which is the sameas that of the conveyor which said lower portion of the surface isthereby adapted to discharge said engaged fiber layer onto the conveyor,means for supplying a core wire to a position below each sliced layerand near the center thereof and adjacent said surface of the transferdevice, and means on the transfer device for guiding said wire formovement in unison with each fiber layer from its first said positionbelow the fiber layer to a position above said conveyor and above saidfiber layer after inversion thereof.

References @Sited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,594,575 Nielsen Aug. 12, 192.4 1,888,352 Lipps a- Nov. 22, 19322,542,687 Le FebV-re et all. Feb. 29, 1951 2,616,763 Vose et al. Nov. 4,1952 2,903,299 Marks Sept. 8, 1959

1. IN A BUSH MAKING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF A MAGAZINE FORCONTAINING A MASS OF TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED HORIZONTAL FIBERS, A KNIFEHAVING A SLICING EDGE DISPOSED ADJACENT THE BOTTOM OF SAID MAGAZINE,MEANS FOR EFFECTING RELATIVE GENERALLY LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT BETWEENSAID MAGAZINE AND KNIFE EDGE IN ONE AND AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THEEXTENT OF SAID RELATIVE MOVEMENT BEING AT LEAST APPROXIMATELY AS GREATAS THE LONGITUDINAL EXTENT OF SAID MASS OF FIBRES IN SAID MAGAZINEWHEREBY LONGITUDINALLY ELONGATED LAYERS OF FIBERS ARE INTERMITTENTLYSLICED FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID MASS WITH THE LENGTH OF EACH LAYERAPPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO SAID LONGITUDINAL EXTENT OF SAID MASS, A CONVEYORLOCATED BELOW THE MAGAZINE AND MOVABLE CONTINUOUSLY IN A GENERALLYLONGITUDINAL DIRECTION AT A PREDETERMINED SPEED, A TRANSFER DEVICELOCATED BETWEEN THE MAGAZINE AND THE CONVEYOR AND HAVING AN OUTERMOVABLE SURFACE WITH A PORTION THEREOF ADJACENT SAID KNIFE DURINGSLICING, AND MEANS FOR MOVING THE TRANSFER DEVICE TO RECEIVE ON SAIDSURFACE THEREOF A FIBER LAYER SLICED DURING A RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF THEKNIFE AND MAGAZINE AND TO THEREAFTER DISCHARGE SAID FIBER LAYER FROMSAID SURFACE ONTO THE CONTINUOUSLY MOVABLE CONVEYOR, THE LAST SAID MEANSBEING TIMED FOR SO MOVING THE TRANSFER DEVICE THAT SAID SURFACE THEREOFMOVES AT LEAST APPROXIMATELY AT THE SAME SPEED AS THE CONVEYOR DURINGTHE DISCHARGE OF EACH LAYER.